The midnight ride of me

The world is a safer place for women than it used to be, especially a woman who lives alone.

The one night I really enjoy watching television is Monday when three of my favorite shows come on, one after the other.  I wasn’t feeling very good tonight, so I sat wrapped up in a gigantic terrycloth bathrobe, a cup of green tea steaming at my side and barely moved until bedtime.

Then, rising, I brushed my teeth and washed my face, put on my Yertle the Turtle jammies and discovered that the toilet was clogged!  I fiddled and faddled and it became clear that I either had to plunge it or not use it.  Not using it for a whole night is not gonna happen in my house so I went in search of a plunger.

My housemates were all sound asleep judging by the fact that their lights were off and that it was ten past midnight.  I made a hopeful foray into the basement in search of any sort of plunger someone might have left there and realized a trip was in order.

I reluctantly put on enough clothes to be decent and went in search of a plunger.  Leaving my front door unlocked so I didn’t need to turn on the outside light and tell the world no one was home, I only locked the big foyer door and walked around the house to my car.

I left the bedroom light on, so it was a good opportunity to see just how private my room is at night as I passed by it on the driveway.  Getting in my car I drove through silent streets devoid of all traffic except for two police cars until I got over to the far east side.  In my grandmother’s day most women wouldn’t even have had their own cars.  I was grateful for mine.

I was also grateful for my cell phone, which was tucked snugly in my purse.  In a real bind I could call my friend teamaker for help and know someone would come for me.  Good friends are truly blessings in the world of a single woman living alone.

I arrived at the all night super store, grateful this time that some place was even open at this hour and picked out my plunger.  There is a surprising array of them available, but they mostly appeared to be one of two types.  Your basic plunger on a variety of handles or a super plunger for three times the cost.  I decided I probably did not need any Captain Marvel type and went to pay for mine.

Amazing how many people buy three carts of stuff at half past midnight on a week night.  The cashier, who had just turned her light off, took pity on me and offered to let me pay her.  “How’s your night going?”  She asked.

“I’m out buying a plunger at midnight.”  I laughed incredulously.

“At least you have the money to buy it.”  She smiled and I realized she was right.  I am lucky.  I have enough money to be pretty comfortable.  I have a phone, a car, a nice apartment and now a very nice plunger!